Meet Our Team

Dr. Burton is a Board-Certified Adult, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatrist with training and experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and Play Therapy. She is also an expert in combination with mental health treatment when medication and psychotherapy are used simultaneously to treat your or your child’s diagnosis. Dr. Burton attended medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston before entering a residency and fellowship at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The last ten years have been spent treating children in a hospital setting, including Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, NC, and, most recently, Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville. Though Dr. Burton has a passion for emergency and acute psychiatric care, she felt led to bring services to her community, focusing on prevention and wellness.

• Adjustment Disorders
• Anxiety Disorders
• Attachment Disorders
• Bipolar Disorder
• Conversion Disorders
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Grief and Loss
• Insomnia
• Inattention and Impulse Control Disorder
• Low Self – Esteem
• Parent-Child Relational Issues
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Relationship Issues
• Schizoaffective Disorder
• Schizophrenia Underperformance Issues
• Somatization Disorders
• Underperformance

Olivia Beech is thrilled to be at part of The Retreat at Ponte Vedra Beach team as a medical office administrator. She was born and raised in Ponte Vedra Beach, where she attended and graduated from Ponte Vedra High School in 2014. She is also an alumni of Jacksonville University, where she obtained a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. During her time at JU, Olivia’s favorite clinical experiences included her pediatric and psychiatric rotations. This is where she discovered her passion for working with children in the clinical setting. As a Registered Nurse, Olivia is excited make a positive impact on the community through her work at RPVB and Wolfson Children’s Hospital where she is completing their prestigious nurse residency program. 

JoEllen Suslak is an accomplished Educator, Consultant, Developer, and Presenter of current Brain Research, Brain-Based Curriculum, and Program for children in kindergarten through adults. Her 28 years of experience brings a depth of knowledge in education, business, and community relationships to her role as Director of Education and Development at The Retreat at Ponte Vedra Beach.

She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Florida State University. JoEllen’s passion for teaching and respect for the unique individuality of every child led her to continue her education in Neurological, Biological, and Psychological studies. She went on to complete graduate studies through Southern California University and certifications in Educational Kinesiology, Psychology, Neuroscience, and Pedagogy through classes and seminars in Boston and Salt Lake City.

In addition to her educational experiences, she is a successful Licensed Realtor through the University of Miami and spent a portion of her career investing in and developing a real estate business alongside her husband and family. She brings with her experience in management, sales, and public relations.

JoEllen’s education and engagement in the mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being of children and adults influenced her to develop Academic Wellness centers for schools and communities. She became a Co-Founder, director, and instructor of academic, nutrition, dance, and exercise businesses for children ages 10 through geriatric. She offered individualized, small, and large group classes to help each participant reach their goals. Her focus on collaborative learning that engages students, staff, families, and the community contributed to her successful endeavor to develop her own businesses.

As the Retreat PVB Educational Developer and Director, she brings with her a teaching philosophy centered on Educational Neuroscience, along with interactions between biological processes and teaching. She is dedicated to bridging the achievement gap, which will allow children to reach their full potential with confidence and healthy self-esteem.

JoEllen is a gifted educator, businesswoman, and leader in our community. She has conducted interactive Seminars and Workshops for schools, parents, home schools, and corporate team building. Her presentations are on “The Total Child,” with transferring of information to the application. The list of requested topics is extensive. See the list of requested topics below.

In her free time, you can find JoEllen and her husband enjoying time with their family grilling out together or going to the beach. She is also an active tennis player and cyclist.

• Educational Kinesiology
• Differentiated Learning Styles & Strategies
• Nutrition, Exercise and the Brain
• Learning and Stress
• Memory & Recall
• Timetables & Rhythm in Learning
• Emotions in Learning
• Organizational skills
• Time Management
• Study Habits
• Test Taking Methods

Kristen Lancaster is thrilled to be part of The Retreat PVB family. She comes to us from North Carolina. She moved with her husband and three children to the Ponte Vedra Beach area in 2016. As a graduate of the College of Charleston, Ms. Lancaster earned her degree in special education. She furthered her study of exceptional students receiving a Masters of Education from UNC-G.

Ms. Lancaster is a passionate educator with specific interest in supporting the whole child. Her enthusiasm is evident as she coaches students and interacts with families. She has worked with students of varying ages for many years and has extensive experience teaching individually as well as in the classroom. Among other endeavors, she taught study skills to middle school students and served as the Learning Specialist for a middle school. She brings her knowledge and varied experiences with her to The Retreat at PVB, creating individualized programs geared to meet each student’s unique needs.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and growing boys. She also loves playing tennis when time allows.

Teaching experience 

• 15 years in classroom
• 20 years academic coach
• All grades K-8/ All subjects
• Study skills, test taking techniques, organizational skills
• Cross-categorical special education classes 
• Middle School Academic Counselor & Learning Specialist 
• Learning style instructor for teachers
• Interpreter of psycho-educational testing for teachers
• ERB testing for middle school
• Developed various teaching strategies for learning challenges

Leadership Positions

• Academic Counselor
• Director of Summer Programs 
• Lower and upper school team leader
• Marketing services for “unlimited learning”

Education & Training

• Professional Education Certificate
  • All subjects, Kindergarten- 8th Grade
• Bachelor of Science Special Education
• Master of Education 
• Lindamood-Bell Training

Coming Soon

More details to come!

Caitlin Glynn grew up in Jacksonville and graduated from Bishop Kenny High School. She attended the University of Georgia where she majored in English and minored in Sociology. Caitlin went on to earn a Masters degree in Literature from American University. She has taught composition and literature courses at the University of North Florida, Flagler College, Robert Morris University, and Florida State College at Jacksonville. In 2013, Caitlin began working as a high school English teacher in Duval County Public Schools. Caitlin currently teaches English I Honors and AP English Language and Composition at Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies. She is ESOL certified and has received training in differentiated instruction and reading strategies. In addition, she has done extensive coursework in Latin and has tutored high school and college students in need of help in Latin. She also helps with SAT/ACT prep, AP testing prep, and specializes in college admissions essays. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys reading and spending time with her friends and family. 

Teaching experience 

• 6 years in the High School classroom
  • High School English i/ HONORS
  • High School English Honors and Composition
  • AP English Language and Composition
• 10 Years College Level Courses
  • Argument and Research Strategies
  • Writing / Literature/ EMPHASIS ON LITERARY THEORY
  • Reading competency I, II, III
  • Extensive Course work/Latin & Women’s studies
• Adjunct Instructor– University of North Florid
• Adjunct Instructor– Florida State College
• Adjunct Professor– Flagler College

Leadership Positions

• English Department Chair
• Student Government Adviser 
• Literacy Leadership Team 
• National Honor society co-advisor
• Test supervisor for sat/act
• Varsity Girls Golf Coach

Education & Training

• Professional Education Certificate
  • English 6th – 12th Grades
  • ESOL Kindergarten – 12th Grade
• Bachelor of Arts in English
  • Minor in Sociology
• Master of Arts in Literature    
• AVID training
• AP Reader